No need to bring out the gourmet cheese, smoked salmon and petite fours; with food prices rising, you’ll appreciate this short list of delicious but affordable appetizers for your next special occasion or get-together.
Pretzel Bites
These small bite-sized balls of dough fried in oil and covered in salt are growing in popularity for good reason. Easy to eat and inexpensive, they can be served with a variety of dipping sauces (garlic butter, herb, ranch, nacho cheese, etc). And no utensils are needed.
Pigs in a Blanket
Try a new spin on an old favorite with one of these ideas:
- Tuck a sliver of apple and a thin slice of gouda in with the sausage before rolling in crescent dough
- Use hot dogs instead of cocktail sausages and serve with an assortment of mustards
- Tightly wrap shredded pork in corn tortillas and bake. Slice each on in half and serve with salsa for dipping.
And don’t overlook this delicious dipping option: pepper jelly!, It will add a lot of spice (haha) to your party!
Italian Cheese Sticks
Use bamboo skewers to quickly assemble this attractive snack, just as you would a shish kabob – with mozzarella balls or cubes, cherry tomatoes and either an olive or basil leaf. Drizzle olive oil lightly over the whole platter (see photo above).
Meatless Meatballs
It’s a surprisingly easy dish to put together using substitutes like black beans or lentils instead of meat. Use in your favorite recipe with plenty of Italian seasoning for a boost of flavor.
Pot Stickers
For just $10 at Walmart, you can pick up a huge bag of tasty pork pot stickers, and the Asian dipping sauce is included.
Cook and serve on a white square platter decorated with a couple of chopsticks and curls of fresh ginger.
Cheesy Bread
Check the bakery clearance rack at your local supermarket and pick up a few loaves of the long French or Italian bread. Slice lengthwise and top with softened butter, garlic powder, parsley and shredded cheese. Pop in the oven at 400 for 10-12 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
Quesadillas
Easy to prepare in a hot skillet on the stove, sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese and diced pepper and onion on a tortilla and top with a second one. Cook and flip and cook again until golden. We cut our quesadillas into triangles with a pizza wheel and serve with zesty salsa or pico de gallo.
What’s your favorite appetizer to serve?
